Kent and Medway: A Proven Destination for Green Investment

Discover why Kent and Medway are the UK’s natural choice for green growth and innovation.

Thank you for connecting with us at GreenTech 2025. As the UK’s gateway to sustainable opportunity, Kent and Medway offer everything you need to grow – from high-quality development land and world-class research hubs to powerful networks in agri-tech, clean energy, and circular economy sectors.

Why Kent & Medway? A Hub for Sustainable Innovation

2,300+ food and drink businesses anchored in sustainable practices
Home to the UK’s largest centre for horticultural R&D at NIAB East Malling
Direct access to London & South East markets – the UK’s largest consumer base
A dynamic business network led by Growing Kent & Medway, supporting collaboration across growers, processors, agri-tech innovators, and academia
Strong public-private partnerships and a growing pipeline of net-zero commercial developments

Kent is serious food for thought…

2300plus

food and drink enterprises in Kent and Medway

1.2% rise

in the number of food and drink enterprises over the past five years.

4.5million

apples and pears grown every year at A. C. Goatham & Son in Medway.

“Kent and Medway offer one of the UK’s most compelling investment propositions for businesses driving sustainable innovation. From our deep-rooted strengths in agri-tech and horticulture to our fast-growing clean growth clusters, the region combines talent, infrastructure and collaboration like nowhere else. It’s a place where forward-thinking businesses can scale with purpose and impact”

Karima Kamel, Business Development Manager, Locate in Kent

Key locations – Find farming land and manufacturing units in Kent

Known as the Garden of England, Kent has built upon its reputation thanks to an innovative approach to food manufacturing as well as high-quality natural assets. Not only does Kent have some of the most productive agricultural land in Britain, it also offers state-of-the-art facilities for businesses looking to relocate.

Ashford has the largest cluster of businesses in the food and drink sector in Kent, with 410 companies calling the borough home. These include market-leading food manufacturing companies Premier Foods and Brakes as well as award winning vineyards. The M20 corridor offers quick access to the Port of Dover, Channel Tunnel and UK airports, while fast train services to London and Europe make Ashford a key location for distribution and export, and an attractive base thanks to its affordable business rates.

North Kent has built a strong reputation as a top destination for food and drinks businesses, adding new names to its roster of success stories every year. Apple and pear growers AC Goatham & Son’s ongoing innovation and investment in its storage and processing facilities has helped showcase Medway as an exceptional location for agricultural businesses. The leading distillery Copper Rivet is considered one of the country’s top up-and-coming spirit producers, and has built on the region’s heritage to create unique products and a beautiful visitor centre in the heart of Chatham Maritime.

Horticultural research institute NIAB EMR has long been recognised as one of the UK’s top centres for propagated crop production. The organisation supports fruit growers across the world and is recognised for their innovation in this sector, specialising in developing new fruit varieties that are able to adapt to changing global climates. Their advances in this sector have not only benefited growers and producers, but also communities around the world.

The largest greenhouse complex in the UK, Thanet Earth, covers 90 hectares of land and grows tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers across six greenhouses just outside of Ramsgate. It produces and delivers vegetables for some of the top British retailers and has been praised for its innovative approach to growing and cultivation, and is a striking landmark for Thanet.

Your Pick of the Crop – Finding the right talent in Kent

With a resident population of 1.9m, Kent is the largest of all English counties. Locating here will allow you to access a diverse talent pool, including specialised staff trained locally. Hadlow College in Kent is a land-based college offering a range of courses in agriculture, horticulture or animal studies. Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and a LSIS Beacon provider, the college trains the food and agricultural professionals of the future and allows you to hire highly-qualified graduates who understand the county’s strengths and will help you grow your business. Four other universities are located in Kent, including the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, which all train highly-skilled graduates in a range of technical, digital and managerial roles.

Key Partners – Produced in Kent & Rural PLC Kent

Produced in Kent

Trade organisation Produced in Kent will help you to promote your products and services across the county and beyond. When you register, you will be able to use the Produced in Kent trademark logo as a quality of mark for customers, and tap into a range of specialised services which complement Locate in Kent’s offering.

Rural PLC

Rural PLC (Kent) supports horticulture and agriculture businesses to protect the quality of the county’s natural assets. Giving a voice to farmers and growers, Rural PLC strives to create more investment opportunities for this key sector.

Growing Kent & Medway

Growing Kent & Medway is a world-class research, innovation and enterprise cluster. This collaboration of growers, processors, scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs work together to grow technology-driven horticulture, fresh produce packaging, food and drink processing and its supply chains.

Plan your business move to Kent.

Call the team on 01732 520 700 or complete the below form and one of out experts will be in touch shortly.